Slower paced country living from the heart of the South.

Sinus problems? Try a neti pot.

I have had allergies/sinus problems for years. Recently, I heard about “neti pots” and the benefits of using one. They’ve been around for a long time, and many cultures use them to irrigate and clear the sinuses relieving sinus pressure and congestion. Let me tell ya – if you get a sinus headache that is bad enough, you’ll try just about anything!

Last weekend, I had a migraine triggered from the sinus congestion I was fighting. I had purchased a blue, plastic neti pot at Walmart which came with some little packets of salt and baking soda. In misery, I pulled it out of the box and tried it.

At first, it was the most bizarre thing to think of pouring salt water through your nose and letting it drain out the other side, but it WORKS!

Basically, you take this little teapot looking container and mix warm water with the salt/baking soda solution, and wash your sinuses out with it. The key is to lean forward over the sink and tilt your head to one side, allowing the water to pour out of the opposite nostril. Breathe through your mouth – do not hold your breath. Some water may pour out of your mouth if your head isn’t tilted properly – this isn’t a problem – just tilt your head a little more. Be sure to have a box of kleenex sitting close by because you will need to blow your nose when you finish each side.

I paid around $14 for the neti pot at Walmart (in the pharmacy section). I doubt I will purchase more of the little packets of salt/baking soda. Instead, I am going to try mixing 1/4 teaspoon canning salt with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda. If you use straight water, I’ve read that it will burn your nose. There is no burning or stinging using the salt/soda combination.

If you are having sinus problems, I highly recommend trying the neti pot for relief!

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Just a disclaimer - use the information contained within these pages at your own risk. We are not responsible for misuse, misunderstanding, or injury resulting anything listed on this blog. I have a great number of opinions on a wide variety of topics and reserve the right to be wrong. :o) However, I do hope that others can learn from some of the mistakes I've made, and that is one reason I started blogging. My sole purpose in life may just be to serve as a warning to others! :o)